The Former New York Yankee Pitcher Will be in Rodney Square on Monday for Back Pack Give-Away Sponsored by His Charitable Foundation

Mayor Mike Purzycki announced today that Wilmington will welcome former New York Yankees All-Star pitcher Mariano Rivera to Rodney Square on Monday morning. The future Hall of Famer will be in the City’s main square for a backpack give-away sponsored by the Mariano Rivera Public Foundation. More than 1,500 backpacks filled with back-to-school supplies will be given to children in grades K through 5th grade.

Joining Rivera at Monday’s event will be Mary Velastro Sciarrone of TV’s “Cake Boss” and Karen M. Rampersad, acclaimed singer from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. The giveaway is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and will run through 1 p.m. Also appearing during the event will be Rocky Bluewinkle from the Wilmington Blue Rocks.

The Mariano Rivera Foundation was founded 19 years ago by baseball’s greatest relief pitcher to support education efforts for impoverished families in the United States and abroad. A related non-profit entity, The Mariano Rivera Public Foundation was formed in 2016 and is headquartered in Delaware. Naomi Gandia is the Executive Director. The public foundation’s mission focuses on youth-oriented programs through education, health, social and economic development.

“We are beyond honored to welcome Mariano to Wilmington and we appreciate what he and his mother are doing to support children and families throughout our country and the world,” said Mayor Purzycki. “Mariano brought joy to millions of people through his accomplishments on the baseball field and now he is making life better for countless others through the work of his community-based foundations.”

According to YES Network website, right-handed pitcher Mariano Rivera is considered almost universally as baseball's greatest closer of all time. No pitcher in major league history converted as many saves as former Yankees closer Rivera's 652. He spent 19 seasons in the Majors as a

New York Yankee and earned 13 All-Star appearances; five top five Cy Young finishes, and owns the Major League record for most postseason saves (42) and lowest postseason ERA (0.70).